To See My Boys

We were able to come home on Wednesday afternoon, from Gainseville. We were there for two and a half weeks this time. We had to wait for Boaz's blood counts to drop, which took a while, then rise. Then they did a stem cell apheresis, they take a certain amount of stem cells and freeze them to give back to him later. This will protect those cells from the harder chemo. He did a lot better this time. He played throughout the chemo, and while I am very thankful, we are learning new ways to keep him content, while his IV line is shorter and he shouldn't leave the room. Every time he heard the helicopter (for the life flight) fly overhead, he'd run to the window trying to see the helicopter. He thought we were supposed to know when that was coming so we could make sure the IV line didn't catch on anything! He did get pretty fussy when his counts dropped, and on those days when we sat in the clinic for 4 -7 hours a day. Its a good thing I taught him to sit through church young, the training is paying off.
We were only in the hospital four days this time. The remainder of the time Paige, Boaz, and I stayed at the Ronald McDonald House. It was a nice break from the hospital! They wouldn't let us come home though, just in case he got a fever and needed care quickly. He got no fevers this time, and needed no extra care. We should be able to do our next few rounds of chemo in Pensacola, at Sacred Heart Children's Hospital. We will be much closer to home, and my other boys!! We met two nice, Christian families while at the RMH.
When we got home, Boaz clapped, squealed, and hugged all his brothers! It was really cute. He was REALLY happy to be home and cried when we had to come inside. Then he remembered he could play inside too!
We are very thankful for all of our friends, even if we don't know you, and your prayers for Silas.

Silas & Sister

We've been taking Silas out for a little change in scenery. He's getting sick of our room at the Ronald McDonald House. He and Sister had a good time on the play area today. We thank God for how good he feels this time.

God Is Still On The Throne!!!

We seem to have a different little boy this time! Its no lie. He is actually hooked up to the chemo in the top two pictures. He finished his second round on Friday, the 5th of June. We have learned a few ways to deal with the side effects differently, and so far, he hasn't really had any. He gets a little moody sometimes if I don't realize he's hurting, but that's normal. He had a good time at home too. Here he's washing dishes with Sister. We had all of the normal side effects last time; mouth sores, hair loss, we were told to expect toe and finger tingling, but what we got was a little boy who couldn't stand. I like being told the truth, but sometimes they like to water it down a little. I like to investigate everything, ask lots of questions, and question lots of things. The doctors really don't seem to get aggravated with me. They do have to stop and think sometimes, before they answer me. Sometimes they even change what they're doing. If you don't know something, ask someone who does. If you don't like or believe their answer, study it out until you know what is going on! That's how I am naturally. If you are not, get that way for the sake of your children and yourself. It's our job. Being in the hospital has really opened our eyes to the sad state of moms and dads. I've seen them do lots of things, maybe one day I'll humor you with some stories, but I haven't seen many of them being moms and dads!
Back to little Silas Boaz! We have really enjoyed seeing the surprised look on the faces of the doctors & nurses. The medical staff in the Children's Hospital of UF have been good. We had a good pediatrician this time, Dr. Kenny. Truthfully, I don't even remember the ones from last hospital stay. All of the doctors and nurses that come in our room, or see Silas running down the hall, remark on how well he looks. As God gives us wisdom, I will continue to use it. My God Is Still On The Throne!!!

Hunter's K Graduation

On May 23rd we held our graduation ceremonies. That just happened to be the day after we got home from Gainesville. Our Hunter got to walk the isle for his K-5 graduation (we know he's only 4 - we home school, remember!!). I was very excited to be there for it, it was important to him. He actually looks a little nervous doesn't he? Hunter, for those of you that know him, is a very fun, loving, bundle of energy He has a personality all his own. My children are all very different. Sometimes I see something that is the same in two of them, but normally not. It was always a mystery to me how children all raised in the same house could be so different. But, now I see, that they are different from the start. God makes them look different. God also makes them perceive things differently. That makes them BE different people. Of course, now it sounds simple!
H-happy
U-under & over everything
N-never forgets my hugs at night
T-tumbles with his brothers
E-energetic
R-really makes me smile :)
Having children is great!!

Glory to God, we're at home

Boaz is definately happier at home!!Our ceiling tile. Actually on the hospital ceiling. Boaz is in my arms.

What a surprise when last Wednesday the doctor walked in and announced we could go home in a day or so. I was actually not at the hospital. Mrs. Chris Maynard, our pastors wife, and Aaron, her son and Silas' blood brother, had stayed the night. The Unger's brought my boys from home for a visit, and as they say, they kicked me out of the hospital for the night! It was great that night, I really miss my boys!!
At the hospital, they gave us a ceiling tile to paint. I started with Silas' hand and footprints. Then we had fun glorifying God from there. My God is a mighty God. The picture of Silas waving is from when we skyped in at church. He waved to everyone for about three to four minutes. He wouldn't put his hand down. He wouldn't go to sleep until church was over. He must've been afraid to miss something. When he'd see someone else he'd say "Hi Gracie" or "Hi Markie". I guess he misses his friends!!
Now we're at home! He's been playing with his brothers, and zooming around on his car. He couldn't even stand on his own after the chemo. I was not expecting this. I understand chemo is hard on the body, but seeing things makes it different! The first time I stood him on the floor, his legs wouldn't hold him up. I teared up even though we we're in the art room with everyone else. It took me a few minutes to be ok. Ever wonder why parents are taking their children and running from the chemo?? Boaz is a boy. A bald head isn't that big of a thing, except you can really see all of those tumors in his skull now. But, if that were my girl?! It would most likely be a different story! Some of the side effects are able to be lessened by basic knowledge of natural helps. At home now Boaz is walking across the room, though unsteady, without falling. It has been a battle.
The doctors and nurses say they cannot understand how his blood counts rose so fast. They were taking him off medicines so fast, my head was swimming. Normally after a round of chemo (he is getting the strongest stuff!), a childs ANC (ability to fight infection) will drop to zero and stay there many days, which is one reason we thought we'd be there til after this next round. BUT GOD, what wonderful words!!! God gave us some wisdom, we applied it, millions of people are praying, and my God had different plans for little Boaz. Boaz ANC was only at zero for three days. By day six it was above 4000. And the Friday they released him it was above 6400. I am told these numbers usually climb very slowly. I tell the medical staff that there are millions of people praying for Silas. People I've never met. And that my God is a mighty God. They don't normally understand, but every once in a while, one of them will!
Thank you to everyone praying. Please keep it up. This is a fight for the life of Boaz, a normal life.